Laurence Olivier is "Hamlet" in this 1948 version of Shakespeare's play. The film, directed by Olivier, also stars Eileen Herlie, Jean Simmons, Norman Wooland, Felix Aylmer, Stanley Holloway and Terrence Morgan. Olivier's Hamlet on stage, of course, was very famous and modeled after John Barrymore's portrayal. Not as athletic as Gielgud's portrayal, Olivier's Shakespeare work was notable for the fact that he didn't "sing" the text, but rather said it realistically. For his film version of Richard III, he deliberately made the setting look false, making the point that, if you gave the audience a realistic-looking setting, they would then ask, "Why are these people talking so funny?" Similarly, for Hamlet, the castle is a stark, huge affair, standing in the midst of fog, and unusual camera angles are used to make some stunning shots.
The text of the play is heavily cut, and two characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are indeed dead - they don't exist here. The cast is good - it can't compare with Olivier's Richard III cast seven years later - but it's Olivier's show, and he's tremendous, giving a thrilling performance.
As many times as I've seen Hamlet, I'm always impressed at how many famous phrases have come out of it. But with such a compelling story and such beautiful writing, it's no surprise. Outrageous fortune indeed.
The text of the play is heavily cut, and two characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are indeed dead - they don't exist here. The cast is good - it can't compare with Olivier's Richard III cast seven years later - but it's Olivier's show, and he's tremendous, giving a thrilling performance.
As many times as I've seen Hamlet, I'm always impressed at how many famous phrases have come out of it. But with such a compelling story and such beautiful writing, it's no surprise. Outrageous fortune indeed.